Dynamic Direct Multinode (DDM) Wireless Network

ABSTRACT

There are disclosed herein implementations of a system providing a direct dynamic multinode (DDM) wireless network, and a method for use by the system. Such a system includes multiple nodes configured for wireless communication, at least one of the nodes being configured to receive external data from an external source. Each of the nodes is configured to discover other nodes of the DDM wireless network. Each of the nodes is also configured to run a time and phase tracking function to provide synchronization between the nodes, and to route control and data information directly to other nodes so as to synchronously output the external data.

BACKGROUND

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to aprovisional application titled “Multiple Wireless Node Connectivity andNetwork Topology,” Ser. No. 62/381,723 filed on Aug. 31, 2016. Thedisclosure in this provisional application is hereby incorporated fullyby reference into the present application.

BACKGROUND ART

The use of local area networks including multiple wireless end pointshas become quite common, and continues to grow. Such wireless end pointsmay be deployed in computing platforms, media receivers, medicaldevices, and industrial and home automation devices, for example, andmay participate in what has become known as the Internet of Things(IoT).

The wireless end points implemented as part of a local network aretypically connected to a local Access Point (AP), such as a router, forexample. The AP provides connectivity and a communication infrastructurebetween the wireless end points and an external communication network,for example the Internet. In addition, in conventional networktopologies, often referred to as “star networks,” the AP providing thecommunication infrastructure typically performs the routing functions toestablish communication links between different wireless end points.

However, conventional star network topologies do not offer an efficientinfrastructure for communication between wireless endpoints. Forexample, use of the AP as an intermediary for communications between twowireless endpoints results in communication traffic being transmittedover the air twice, once from the sending end point to the AP, and onceagain from the AP to the receiving end point. Thus, wireless channelbandwidth utilization is reduced by a factor of two or more, therebyreducing the amount of data and the data rate that can be supported bythe two end points and the AP. Consequently, conventional star networksmay be inadequate for applications where network bandwidth, trafficdelay, and jitter are critical parts of the application requirements.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a dynamic direct multinode (DDM)wireless network, substantially as shown in and/or described inconnection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth in theclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a conventional star network topology.

FIG. 1B shows inefficiencies associated with communications betweenwireless endpoints in the conventional star network of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary direct dynamic multinode (DDM) wirelessnetwork including multiple DDM nodes, according to one implementation.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary DDM wireless network including multiple DDMnodes, according to another implementation.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary DDM wireless network including a DDM nodeserving as an access point (AP) for the DDM wireless network, accordingto one implementation.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary DDM wireless network linked to multipleexternal sources, according to one implementation.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary DDM wireless network including a DDM nodeserving as a repeater for another, remote, DDM node, according to oneimplementation.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary DDM network of wireless audio speakersreceiving external data provided by wire from a music playback device,according to one implementation.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary DDM network of wireless audio speakersreceiving external data provided by a mobile device in communicationwith a cellular data network, according to one implementation.

FIG. 9 shows a flowchart presenting an exemplary method for use by awireless network of DDM nodes to communication directly with oneanother.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toimplementations in the present disclosure. One skilled in the art willrecognize that the present disclosure may be implemented in a mannerdifferent from that specifically discussed herein. The drawings in thepresent application and their accompanying detailed description aredirected to merely exemplary implementations. Unless noted otherwise,like or corresponding elements among the figures may be indicated bylike or corresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings andillustrations in the present application are generally not to scale, andare not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

As stated above, the use of local area networks including multiplewireless end points has become quite common, and continues to grow. Suchwireless end points, or “nodes,” may be deployed in computing platforms,media receivers, medical devices, and industrial and home automationdevices, for example, and may participate in what has become known asthe Internet of Things (IoT).

As further stated above, the wireless end points implemented as part ofa local network are typically connected to a local Access Point (AP),such as a router, for example. The AP provides connectivity and acommunication infrastructure between the wireless end points and anexternal communication network, for example the Internet. In addition,in conventional network topologies, often referred to as “starnetworks,” the AP providing the communication infrastructure alsotypically performs the routing functions to establish communicationlinks between different wireless end points.

FIG. 1A shows communication environment 100 employing a conventionalstar network topology. As shown in FIG. 1A, communication environment100 includes external source 102, which may correspond to the Internet,or any public or private network of remote servers (hereinafter referredto as “the cloud”). Also shown in FIG. 1A is AP 104, as well as firstwireless endpoint or node 110, second wireless endpoint or node 112, andthird wireless endpoint or node 114 (hereinafter “first node 110,”“second node 112,” and “third node 114”) in communication with externalsource 102 through AP 104.

In addition to communicating with external source 102 through AP 104, insome applications it may be advantageous or desirable for some or all offirst node 110, second node 112, and third node 114 to be incommunication with one another. In the conventional star networktopology shown in FIG. 1A, AP 104 provides the communicationinfrastructure and the routing functions to establish communicationlinks between different nodes, in addition to mediating communicationsto and from external source 102.

FIG. 1B shows one example of the inefficiencies associated withcommunication between nodes in the conventional star network of FIG. 1A.As shown in FIG. 1B, two nodes (i.e., first node 110 and third node 114)are communicating with each other through AP 104. However, because thecommunication traffic from third node 114 to first node 110 must berouted through AP 104, that communication traffic is transmitted overthe air twice, once as transmission 106 and a second time astransmission 108. In this simple exemplary case, the wireless channelbandwidth utilization is reduced by a factor of two or more, therebyreducing the amount of data and the data rate that can be supported byfirst node 110, third node 114, and AP 104.

In the conventional implementations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, AP 104typically manages communication traffic between first node 110, secondnode 112, and third node 114 by queuing or buffering the incoming andoutgoing data packets and scheduling packets for processing based onvarious factors, such as traffic priority for example. That managementof communication traffic by AP 104 may introduce delays in the networktraffic. Moreover, in many conventional implementations, AP 104 managesand processes the communication traffic between first node 110, secondnode 112, and third node 114 in software, and may thereby introducevariable delay or jitter in the traffic flow.

Thus, conventional star network topologies do not offer an efficientinfrastructure for communication between nodes of a wireless network. Asa result, conventional star networks may be inadequate for applicationswhere network bandwidth, traffic delay, and jitter are critical parts ofthe application requirements. For example audio and video streamingapplications over wireless networks require consistently low delay,latency, and jitter in network performance.

The present application discloses dynamic direct multinode (DDM)wireless networks in which node-to-node communication is achievedefficiently, using a substantially minimal amount of channel bandwidth,and resulting in significantly reduced network delay and jitter. Thedisclosed DDM wireless network architecture includes multiple DDM nodes,where each DDM node can discover and connect to other nodes in thenetwork, and where connected DDM nodes are configured to route controland data information directly to each other.

It is noted that, as used in the present application, the term “dynamicdirect multinode” and its acronym “DDM” define a wireless network thatis “dynamic” and “multinode” because the number and functionality ofmultiple DDM nodes of the network can be altered dynamically. That is tosay, DDM nodes may be added or removed from an existing DDM wirelessnetwork on the fly. In addition, a master node for a DDM wirelessnetwork may be any DDM node of the DDM wireless network. Also, theparticular DDM node functioning as the master node may changedynamically in response to various factors, such as changes in thelocations of one or more DDM nodes, a change in the location of anexternal source of external data, or switching to a different externalsource of external data, for example. Furthermore, the DDM network is“direct” because each DDM node is configured to communicate directlywith other DDM nodes, without first routing such communications throughan intermediary device, such as an AP.

The DDM wireless networks disclosed in the present application canfunction with or without a separate AP. That is to say, in someimplementations, one or more DDM nodes of the DDM network may beconfigured as an access point or points for the DDM network. It isfurther noted that a DDM wireless network implemented according to thepresent principles may adopt any conventional network topology, such asStar or Direct, for example, as long as each node is configured tofunction as a DDM node.

FIG. 2 shows communication environment 200 including exemplary DDMwireless network 220, according to one implementation. It is noted thatfor the purposes of the present disclosure, the descriptive phrase “DDMwireless network” and the descriptive word “system” may be usedinterchangeably. In other words, the feature identified by referencenumber 220 may be alternatively referred to as “DDM wireless network220” and “system 220.”

As shown in FIG. 2, communication environment 200 includes externalsource 202, which may correspond to the Internet, or the cloud, forexample, as described above. In addition, communication environment 200includes AP 204, which may be a router including a wireless access point(WAP), for example. Communication environment 200 also includes DDMwireless network 220 having first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, andthird DDM node 228.

As also shown in FIG. 2, according to the present exemplaryimplementation, first DDM node 222 of DDM wireless network 220 isconfigured to receive external data 224 from external source 202 via AP204. It is noted that although the exemplary implementation shown inFIG. 2 depicts first DDM node 222 as receiving external data 224, inother implementations, any one or more of first DDM node 222, second DDMnode 226, and third DDM node 228 may be configured to receive externaldata 224. It is further noted that external data 224 may be receivedfrom external source 202 via a wireless connection with AP 204, or bywire from AP 204. Thus, external data 224 may be provided by externalsource 202, such as the Internet or a network of remote servers, forexample, and may be further provided by AP 204.

First DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 may beimplemented as part of any of a variety of devices or systems. In someimplementations, for example, each of first DDM node 222, second DDMnode 226, and third DDM node 228 may be integrated with a substantiallysimilar wireless device, such as an audio speaker, light emittingdevice, or accelerometer, for example. However, in otherimplementations, first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228 may be integrated with different types of wireless devicesincluded in DDM wireless network 220.

As a specific example, in one implementation, first DDM node 222 may beintegrated into a home theater system including a video display andaudio speakers, while second DDM node 226 may be integrated into aremote audio speaker for providing surround sound effects for the hometheater. In that exemplary implementation, third DDM node 228 may beintegrated into a haptic device configured to provide haptic effectscorresponding to content being presented using the home theater systemcorresponding to first DDM nod 222 and/or the surround sound speakercorresponding to second DDM node 226.

Furthermore, although the implementation shown in FIG. 2 depicts DDMwireless network 220 as including three DDM nodes, that representationis provided merely for conceptual clarity. In practice, DDM wirelessnetwork 220 may include more, or many more, than three DDM nodes, suchas tens or hundreds of DDM nodes. With respect to relative placement ofDDM nodes such as first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228, those DDM nodes may be situated relatively close to oneanother, or may be spaced apart from one another by many meters, such asup to one hundred meters, for example.

As further shown in FIG. 2, first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, andthird DDM node 228 are in direct wireless communication with oneanother. That is to say, first DDM node 222 is in communication withsecond DDM node 226 via direct wireless link 232, and is incommunication with third DDM node 228 via direct wireless link 238,while second DDM node 226 and third DDM node 228 are in communicationvia direct wireless link 236. The wireless communication among first DDMnode 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 corresponding todirect wireless links 232, 236, and 238 may be performed using anysuitable wireless communications methods. For example, the wirelesscommunication among first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and thirdDDM node 228, may be performed via one or more of WiFi, Bluetooth,ZigBee, and 60 GHz wireless communications methods.

According to the implementation of DDM wireless network 220 shown inFIG. 2, first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228can communicate with each other directly, without the need forinter-node communication traffic to flow through AP 204. The directwireless communication among first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226,and third DDM node 228 provided by direct wireless links 232, 236, and238 advantageously enables establishment of a consistent, accurate, andefficient network connectivity. As a result, DDM wireless network 220conserves network capacity, and reduces network traffic load, buffering,delay, and jitter when compared to conventional wireless networkarchitectures in which inter-node communication traffic passes throughAP 204.

In some applications, such as network media and audio streamingapplications, for example, the network nodes need to operate onsubstantially the same time-base relative to each other and with veryaccurate timing control and timing resolution. Thus, in someimplementations of DDM wireless network 220, one of the DDM nodes, suchas first DDM node 222, for example, can function as a master nodeproviding timing and/or phase synchronization. For example, a masternode corresponding to first DDM node 222 may track and take into accountthe overall network delay and jitter, and may run a closed loop time andphase lock tracking function to provide synchronization between firstDDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228. Moreover, insome implementations, first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and thirdDDM node 228 may collectively run a closed loop distributed time andphase lock tracking function to provide synchronization between firstDDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228.

FIG. 3 shows communication environment 300 including exemplary DDMwireless network 320, according to another implementation. As shown inFIG. 3, communication environment 300 includes external source 302,which may correspond to the Internet, or the cloud, for example, asdescribed above. In addition, communication environment 300 includes AP304, which may be a router including a WAP, for example. Communicationenvironment 300 further includes DDM wireless network 320 having firstDDM node 322, second DDM node 326, and third DDM node 328 in directwireless communication with one another via direct wireless links 332,336, and 338. Also shown in FIG. 3 is external data 324 received by DDMwireless network 320 through AP 304, and fourth node 316 interactivelycoupled to AP 304 by communication link 318.

DDM wireless network 320 receiving external data 324 corresponds ingeneral to DDM wireless network 220 receiving external data 224, in FIG.2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed to thatcorresponding feature in the present application. In other words, firstDDM node 322, second DDM node 326, third DDM node 328, and directwireless links 332, 336, and 338, in FIG. 3, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application.

As shown in FIG. 3, however, communication environment 300 includesfourth node 316, which is a non-DDM node in communication with DDMwireless network 320 through communication link 318 and AP 304. It isnoted that communication link 318 between non-DDM fourth node 316 and AP304 may be a wireless communication link or a wire link. According tothe exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 3, external data 324 caninclude data received from external source 302 and/or data received fromnon-DDM fourth node 316. In other words, external data 324, in FIG. 3,may be provided by external source 302, such as the Internet or anetwork of remote servers, for example, and/or non-DDM fourth node 316,and may be further provided by AP 304.

Consequently, and as shown in FIG. 3, first DDM node 322, second DDMnode 326, and third DDM node 28 may be in communication with one anotherthrough direct wireless links 332, 336, and 338, and may be furtherconnected to external source 302 and/or non-DDM fourth node 316 throughAP 304. Thus, each of first DDM node 322, second DDM node 326, and thirdDDM node 328 of DDM wireless network 320 can be configured to maintainmultiple different connections and to interoperate and communicate withother nodes which do not support DDM capabilities, such as non-DDMfourth node 316.

Furthermore, despite relying on AP 304 to mediate communications withnon-DDM fourth node 316, first DDM node 322, second DDM node 326, andthird DDM node 328 can communicate with each other directly, without theneed for inter-node communication traffic within DDM wireless network320 to flow through AP 304. As discussed above by reference to FIG. 2,the direct wireless communication among first DDM node 322, second DDMnode 326, and third DDM node 328 provided by direct wireless links 332,336, and 338 advantageously enables establishment of a consistent,accurate, and efficient network connectivity. As a result, DDM wirelessnetwork 320 conserves network capacity, and reduces network trafficload, buffering, delay, and jitter when compared to conventionalwireless network architectures in which inter-node communication trafficpasses exclusively through AP 304.

FIG. 4 shows communication environment 400 including exemplary DDMwireless network 420 having first DDM node 422 serving as the AP for theDDM wireless network, according to one implementation. As shown in 4,communication environment 400 includes external source 402, which maycorrespond to the Internet, or the cloud, for example, as describedabove. In addition, communication environment 400 includes DDM wirelessnetwork 420 having first DDM node 422, second DDM node 426, and thirdDDM node 428 in direct wireless communication with one another viadirect wireless links 432, 436, and 438. Also shown in FIG. 4 isexternal data 424 received by DDM wireless network 420.

DDM wireless network 420 receiving external data 424 corresponds ingeneral to DDM wireless network 220 receiving external data 224, in FIG.2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed to thatcorresponding feature in the present application. In other words, firstDDM node 422, second DDM node 426, third DDM node 428, and directwireless links 432, 436, and 438, in FIG. 4, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application. In addition, external data 424, in FIG. 4,corresponds in general to external data 224, in FIG. 2, and maycorrespondingly be provided by external source 402, such as the Internetor a network of remote servers, for example.

It is noted that although the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 4depicts first DDM node 422 as serving as the AP for DDM wireless network420, in other implementations, any one or more of first DDM node 422,second DDM node 426, and third DDM node 428 may be configured to serveas an AP for DDM wireless network 420. That is to say, any or all offirst DDM node 422, second DDM node 426, and third DDM node 428 may beconfigured as a router for DDM wireless network 420.

Furthermore, in some implementations of DDM wireless network 420 one offirst DDM node 422, second DDM node 426, and third DDM node 428 canfunction as a master node providing timing and/or phase synchronization.For example, one of first DDM node 422, second DDM node 426, and thirdDDM node 428 may track and take into account the overall network delayand jitter, and may run a closed loop time and phase lock trackingfunction to provide synchronization between first DDM node 422, secondDDM node 426, and third DDM node 428. Alternatively, in someimplementations, first DDM node 422, second DDM node 426, and third DDMnode 428 may collectively run a closed loop distributed time and phaselock tracking function to provide synchronization between first DDM node422, second DDM node 426, and third DDM node 428.

FIG. 5 shows communication environment 500 including exemplary DDMwireless network 520 linked to multiple external sources, according toone implementation. As shown in FIG. 5, communication environment 500includes external source 502, which may correspond to the Internet, orthe cloud, for example, as described above. In addition, communicationenvironment 500 includes AP 504, which may be a router including a WAP,for example. Communication environment 500 further includes DDM wirelessnetwork 520 having first DDM node 522, second DDM node 526, and thirdDDM node 528 in direct wireless communication with one another viadirect wireless links 532, 536, and 538. Also shown in FIG. 5 isexternal data 524 received by DDM wireless network 520 through AP 504,external source 540, bridge node 546, and communication link 544connecting bridge node 546 to DDM wireless network 520.

DDM wireless network 520 corresponds in general to DDM wireless network220, in FIG. 2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed tothat corresponding feature in the present application. In other words,first DDM node 522, second DDM node 526, third DDM node 528, and directwireless links 532, 536, and 538, in FIG. 5, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application. In addition, external data 524, in FIG. 5,corresponds in general to external data 224, in FIG. 2, and maycorrespondingly be provided by external source 502, such as the Internetor a network of remote servers, for example and may further be providedby AP 504.

According to the implementation shown in FIG. 5, third DDM node 528connects to and interfaces with bridge node 546, which may be a non-DDMnode that does not support DDM functionality, via communication link544. For example, non-DDM bridge node 546 may be a networking node or acomputing or mobile platform, or, as shown in FIG. 5, may act as acommunication bridge between DDM wireless network 520 and externalsource 540, which may be a provider of cloud services, for example.Communication link 544 providing the bridging interface between DDMwireless network 520 and bridge node 546 may be a wireless communicationlink, or may be a wire link. When provided as a wire link, communicationlink 544 may take the form of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or UniversalAsynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) link, for example. Whenprovided as a wireless link, communication link 544 may be providedusing any of WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and 60 GHz wireless communicationsmethods, for example.

Thus, according to the implementation shown in FIG. 5, first DDM node522, second DDM node 526, and third DDM node 528 of DDM wireless network520 can be configured to maintain multiple connections to multiplenetworks. Consequently, first DDM node 522, second DDM node 526, andthird DDM node 528 of DDM wireless network 520 can advantageously bepresent on multiple networks offering a wide range of capabilities,concurrently, as well as interoperate and communicate with other nodeswhich do not support DDM capabilities, such as bridge node 546.

FIG. 6 shows communication environment 600 including exemplary DDMwireless network 620 having a DDM node serving as a repeater foranother, remote, DDM node, according to one implementation. As shown inFIG. 6, communication environment 600 includes external source 602,which may correspond to the Internet, or the cloud, for example, asdescribed above. In addition, communication environment 600 includes AP.604, which may be a router including a WAP, for example. Communicationenvironment 600 further includes DDM wireless network 620 having firstDDM node 622, second DDM node 626, and third DDM node 628 in directwireless communication with one another via direct wireless links 632,636, and 638. Also shown in FIG. 6 is fourth DDM node 650, which isremote from first DDM node 622 and third DDM node 628, but is inwireless communication with second DDM node 626 via direct wireless link652.

DDM wireless network 620 receiving external data 624 corresponds ingeneral to DDM wireless network 220 receiving external data 224, in FIG.2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed to thatcorresponding feature in the present application. In other words, firstDDM node 622, second DDM node 626, third DDM node 628, and directwireless links 632, 636, and 638, in FIG. 6, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application. In addition, fourth DDM node 650 and directwireless link 652, in FIG. 6, correspond respectively in general to anyof DDM nodes 222/226/228 and direct wireless links 232/236/238, in FIG.2, and may share any of the characteristics attributed to thosecorresponding features in the present application. Moreover, externaldata 624, in FIG. 6, corresponds in general to external data 224, inFIG. 2, and may correspondingly be provided by external source 602, suchas the Internet or a network of remote servers, for example, and mayfurther be provided by AP 604.

As shown in FIG. 6, communication environment 600 includes fourth DDMnode 650, which is sufficiently remote from first DDM node 622 and thirdDDM node 628 not to be discoverable by first DDM node 622 and third DDMnode 628. However, according to the implementation shown in FIG. 6,fourth DDM node 650 is discoverable by second DDM node 626, and canconsequently communicate with all of first DDM node 622, second DDM node626, and third DDM node 628 via direct wireless link 652 with second DDMnode 626. In other words, and as shown by FIG. 6, second DDM node 626functions as a repeater for remote fourth DDM node 650, therebyadvantageously expanding the reach of DDM wireless network 620.

FIG. 7 shows communication environment 700 including exemplary DDMnetwork 720 of wireless audio speakers receiving external data providedby wire from a music playback device, according to one implementation.As shown in FIG. 7, communication environment 700 includes externalsource 702, which may correspond to the Internet, or the cloud, forexample, as described above. In addition, communication environment 700includes AP 704, which may be a router including a WAP, for example.Communication environment 700 further includes DDM wireless speakernetwork 720 having first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDMwireless audio speaker 726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728 indirect wireless communication with one another via direct wireless links732, 736, and 738. Also shown in FIG. 7 is external data 724 received byDDM wireless speaker network 720 through AP 704, and an external sourcein the form of music playback device 760 providing external data 762 bywire to DDM wireless speaker network 720.

DDM wireless speaker network 720 corresponds in general to DDM wirelessnetwork 220, in FIG. 2, and may share any of the characteristicsattributed to that corresponding feature in the present application. Inother words, first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDM wirelessaudio speaker 726, third DDM wireless audio speaker 728, and directwireless links 732, 736, and 738, in FIG. 7, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application. In addition, external data 724, in FIG. 7,corresponds in general to external data 224, in FIG. 2, and maycorrespondingly be provided by external source 702, such as the Internetor a network of remote servers, for example, and may further be providedby AP 704.

As shown in FIG. 7, communication environment 700 also includes musicplayback device 760 providing external data 762, such as music data, tothird DDM wireless audio speaker 728 by wire. It is noted that musicplayback device 760 may be any device capable of storing and playingback, and/or streaming, music. For example, music playback device 760may be a digital music player, such as an MP3 player, a tablet computer,a smartphone, or any other device or system typically used to playbackmusic. It is further noted that although the exemplary implementationshown in FIG. 7 depicts third DDM wireless audio speaker 728 asreceiving external data 762 by wire, in other implementations, any offirst DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDM wireless audio speaker726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728 may receive external data762 by wire from music playback device 760.

According to the implementation of DDM wireless speaker network 720shown in FIG. 7, first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDMwireless audio speaker 726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728 cancommunicate with each other directly, without the need for inter-nodecommunication traffic to flow through AP 704. The direct wirelesscommunication among first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDMwireless audio speaker 726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728provided by direct wireless links 732, 736, and 738 advantageouslyenables establishment of a consistent, accurate, and efficient networkconnectivity. As a result, DDM wireless speaker network 720 conservesnetwork capacity, and reduces network traffic load, buffering, delay,and jitter, which may be especially important for a network ofwirelessly connected audio speakers.

As noted above, in network media and audio streaming applications, forexample, the network nodes need to operate on substantially the sametime-base relative to each other and with very accurate timing controland timing resolution. Thus, in some implementations of DDM wirelessspeaker network 720, one of the DDM nodes, such as third DDM wirelessaudio speaker 728, for example, can function as a master node providingtiming and/or phase synchronization.

For example, a master node corresponding to third DDM wireless audiospeaker 728 may track and take into account the overall network delayand jitter, and may run a closed loop time and phase lock trackingfunction to provide synchronization between first DDM wireless audiospeaker 722, second DDM wireless audio speaker 726, and third DDMwireless audio speaker 728. Moreover, in some implementations, first DDMwireless audio speaker 722, second DDM wireless audio speaker 726, andthird DDM wireless audio speaker 728 may collectively run a closed loopdistributed time and phase lock tracking function to providesynchronization between first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDMwireless audio speaker 726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728. Asa result, first DDM wireless audio speaker 722, second DDM wirelessaudio speaker 726, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 728 cansynchronously output external music data 762 received by DDM wirelessspeaker network 720 from music playback device 760.

FIG. 8 shows communication environment 800 including exemplary DDMnetwork 820 of wireless audio speakers receiving external data providedby a mobile device in communication with a cellular data network,according to one implementation. As shown in FIG. 8, communicationenvironment 800 includes external source 870, which in the presentimplementation may take the form of a smartphone or other mobilecommunication device. In addition, communication environment 800includes DDM wireless speaker network 820 having first DDM wirelessaudio speaker 822, second DDM wireless audio speaker 826, and third DDMwireless audio speaker 828 in direct wireless communication with oneanother via direct wireless links 832, 836, and 838. Also shown in FIG.8 are external data 824 received by DDM wireless speaker network 820from external source 870 and cellular data network link 872.

DDM wireless speaker network 820 corresponds in general to DDM wirelessnetwork 220, in FIG. 2, and may share any of the characteristicsattributed to that corresponding feature in the present application. Inother words, first DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDM wirelessaudio speaker 826, third DDM wireless audio speaker 828, and directwireless links 832, 836, and 838, in FIG. 8, correspond respectively ingeneral to first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, third DDM node 228,and direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, in FIG. 2, and may shareany of the characteristics attributed to those corresponding features inthe present application.

As shown in FIG. 8, external source 870 provides external data 824, suchas music data, to first DDM wireless audio speaker 822. External data824 may be received from external source 870 via a wireless connectionwith external source 870, or by wire from external source 870. It isnoted that external source 870 may be any device capable of receivingdata over a cellular data network, such as a 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G network,for example. In other words, external source 870 may be a tabletcomputer, a smartphone, or any other device or system typically used toreceive data over a cellular data network link such as cellular datanetwork link 872. It is further noted that although the exemplaryimplementation shown in FIG. 8 depicts first DDM wireless audio speaker822 as receiving external data 824, in other implementations, any offirst DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDM wireless audio speaker826, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 828 may receive external data824 from external source 870.

According to the implementation of DDM wireless speaker network 820shown in FIG. 8, first DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDMwireless audio speaker 826, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 828 cancommunicate with each other directly,via direct wireless links 832, 836,and 838. That direct wireless communication advantageously enablesestablishment of a consistent, accurate, and efficient networkconnectivity. As a result, DDM wireless speaker network 820 conservesnetwork capacity, and reduces network traffic load, buffering, delay,and jitter, which may be especially important for a network ofwirelessly connected audio speakers.

As noted above, in network media and audio streaming applications, forexample, the network nodes need to operate on substantially the sametime-base relative to each other and with very accurate timing controland timing resolution. Thus, in some implementations of DDM wirelessspeaker network 820, one of the DDM nodes, such as first DDM wirelessaudio speaker 822, for example, can function as a master node providingtiming and/or phase synchronization.

For example, a master node corresponding to first DDM wireless audiospeaker 822 may track and take into account the overall network delayand jitter, and may run a closed loop time and phase lock trackingfunction to provide synchronization between first DDM wireless audiospeaker 822, second DDM wireless audio speaker 826, and third DDMwireless audio speaker 828. Moreover, in some implementations, first DDMwireless audio speaker 822, second DDM wireless audio speaker 826, andthird DDM wireless audio speaker 828 may collectively run a closed loopdistributed time and phase lock tracking function to providesynchronization between first DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDMwireless audio speaker 826, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 828. Asa result, first DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDM wirelessaudio speaker 826, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 828 cansynchronously output external data 824 received by DDM wireless speakernetwork 820 from external source 870.

One advantage of the implementation shown in FIG. 8 is that DDM wirelessspeaker network 820 can be used in conjunction with external source 870to provide a highly synchronized mobile sound system for playing musicin the outdoors. For example, wireless speaker network 820 maycorrespond to multiple high fidelity speakers situated in a home gardenor patio area, or in a public space such as a park or beach. Providedonly that external device 870 is able to receive music data via cellulardata network link 872, that music data can be streamed to DDM wirelessspeaker network 820 as external data 824, and can be synchronouslyplayed out using first DDM wireless audio speaker 822, second DDMwireless audio speaker 826, and third DDM wireless audio speaker 828.

FIG. 9 shows flowchart 900 presenting an exemplary method for use by awireless network of DDM nodes to communication directly with oneanother. It is noted that certain details and features have been leftout of flowchart 900 that are apparent to a person of ordinary skill inthe art, in order not to obscure the discussion of the inventivefeatures in the present application. It is further noted that althoughthe actions outlined in flowchart 900 are described below by referenceto the specific implementations shown in FIG. 2, the present method maybe performed by any of the DDM nodes shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,and 8.

Referring to FIG. 9 in conjunction with the exemplary DDM wirelessnetwork implementation shown in FIG. 2, flowchart 900 starts with firstDDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 beginning inan initial unconfigured state (action 980). The unconfigured state maybe an initial state of first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, andthird DDM node 228 after power up for the very first time. Theunconfigured state may also correspond to a “Factory Boot State,” offirst DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228. It isnoted that first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node228 remain in the unconfigured state until they are configured.

Flowchart 900 continues with receiving, by each of first DDM node 222,second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 of DDM wireless network 220,configuration data for configuring each of the DDM nodes (action 982).Configuration data may be received by first DDM node 222, second DDMnode 226, and third DDM node 228 over a wireless connection, or by wire.When provided by wire, for example, the configuration data may bereceived via a USB, UART, Ethernet, or Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)link, for example. When provided wirelessly, the configuration data maybe received via WiFi (e.g., SoftAp or Direct Connect), Bluetooth,ZigBee, Near-field communication (NFC), or 60 GHz wirelesscommunications methods, for example.

In the configured state, first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, andthird DDM node 228 can maintain network connectivity at layer 2 and/orlayer 3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, i.e., at mediaaccess control (MAC) sublayer of data link layer 2 and/or via Packet/IPat network layer 3. For example, where AP 204 is a WiFi AP, first DDMnode 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 would beassociated and connected with WiFi AP 204, including using a secureencrypted connection such as WiFi Protected Access (WPA), WPA2, TemporalKey Integrity Protocol (TKIP), and the like.

Once first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 areconfigured, each of first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and thirdDDM node 228 may operate independently for its intended function. Forexample in a network/WiFi speaker application, any of first DDM node222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 may function as astandalone network speaker in the configured state. In this state, eachof first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228remains connected to WiFi AP 204 and can also act as a master node forfirst DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 usingvia direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238.

Flowchart 900 continues with discovering, by each of first DDM node 222,second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228, other nodes of DDM wirelessnetwork 220 within a discovery range (action 984). In someimplementations, once first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and thirdDDM node 228 are in the configured state, each node continuously looksto discover other DDM nodes.

Multiple discovery protocols may be used for DDM nodes to discover eachother. As non-exhaustive examples, the discovery protocols may includeTunneled Direct Link Setup (TDLS), WiFi Direct peer-to-peer (P2P),Universal Plug and Play (UpnP), Bonjour, or other mechanisms for two ormore DDM nodes to discover each other over a wired or wireless network.The discovery protocols may be communicated through AP 204 or via directwireless links 232, 236, and 238, which may be WiFi-Direct links, forexample. Once first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228 discover one another, they may maintain connection through AP204 and/or via direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238.

Flowchart 900 continues with registering, by each of first DDM node 222,second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228, its own node specificationswith others of first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228 (action 986). After the discovery process, first DDM node 222,second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 register their capabilitiesand services (i.e., node specifications) to all other discovered DDMnodes.

It is noted that any of first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, andthird DDM node 228 may at any time de-register their capabilities orservices autonomously or triggered by a network or host controller.Moreover, each of first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228 may register and de-register all or part of its nodespecifications based on a security or authentication level which ismutually understood by all DDM nodes. It is further noted that, in someimplementations, one DDM node may register different node specificationswith different DDM nodes depending on the authentication level confirmedby the discovered DDM nodes.

In some implementations, in addition to registering its own nodespecifications with other DDM nodes, each of first DDM node 222, secondDDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 may be configured to initiate ortransfer control commands to other DDM nodes. The transport controlprotocol used by first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDMnode 228 may be secure or unsecured and may or may not requireacknowledgments depending on the control commands. The transport controlprotocol and commands may be communicated between first DDM node 222,second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 via AP 204 or via directwireless links 232, 236, and 238. Examples of commands that may beinitiated or transferred include: Get Data, Set Data, Modify Data,Acknowledgement, Call Back, Event Trigger, Tmer Trigger, File Transfer(upload or download), Sleep, and Wakeup, to name a few. Throughregistration action 986 or a subsequent de-registration, DDM nodes canjoin or exit networks based on a user's preferences or commands. Forexample, an audio speaker in room one in a house can join a network ofaudio speakers in room two, and can later exit the network of audiospeakers in room two, and join a network of speakers in room three byde-registering from the room two network and registering in the roomthree network.

Flowchart 900 continues with running, by first DDM node 222, second DDMnode 226, and third DDM node 228, a time and phase tracking function toprovide synchronization between first DDM node 222, second DDM node 226,and third DDM node 228 (action 988). In some applications, first DDMnode 222, second DDM node 226, and third DDM node 228 may be required tomaintain an accurate time base relative to each other and/or relative toan absolute time reference (e.g., world clock). One such application isin real-time streaming of audio between multiple DDM speakers. In thiscase, all DDM nodes which are required to be in time synchronizationwith each other run a closed loop distributed time and phase locktracking function.

There are several methods and protocols for maintaining accurate timeand phase synchronization between first DDM node 222, second DDM node226, and third DDM node 228, and DDM wireless network 220 may utilizedone or several of such methods or protocols depending on the applicationrequirements. Time and phase synchronization protocols may operatethrough the AP infrastructure network provided by AP 204 or over directwireless links 232, 236, and 238.

Flowchart 900 can conclude with routing, by first DDM node 222, secondDDM node 226, and third DDM node 228, control and data informationdirectly to one another so as to synchronously output external data 224(action 990). Use of direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238, ratherthan AP 204, to provide such routing improves the accuracy of timesynchronization protocols because the delays and jitter introduced by AP204 can be avoided. As noted above, AP 204 typically introduces delaysand jitter into network traffic that negatively impacts the accuracy andstability of synchronization algorithms and protocols. As a result, theperformance of DDM wireless network 220 can be significantly better, dueto use of direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238 for routing, than theperformance of a time and phase synchronized network based on theinfrastructure provided by AP 204.

For example, in implementations in which first DDM node 222, second DDMnode 226, and third DDM node 228 are audio speakers, the audio latencyresulting from use of direct wireless links 232, 236, and 238 forrouting of control and data information may be as little asapproximately twenty milliseconds (20 ms), compared to the conventionalwireless network architecture shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, which maydeliver one to two seconds of audio latency for the same use case andapplication.

Thus, the present application discloses DDM wireless networks in whichnode-to-node communication is achieved efficiently, using asubstantially minimal amount of channel bandwidth, and resulting insignificantly reduced network delay and jitter. The disclosed DDMwireless network architecture includes multiple DDM nodes, where eachDDM node can discover and connect to other nodes in the network, andwhere connected DDM nodes are configured to route control and datainformation directly to each other. As a result, the DDM nodes cansynchronously output external data received by the DDM wireless networkfrom an external source.

From the above description it is manifest that various techniques can beused for implementing the concepts described in the present applicationwithout departing from the scope of those concepts. Moreover, while theconcepts have been described with specific reference to certainimplementations, a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognizethat changes can be made in form and detail without departing from thescope of those concepts. As such, the described implementations are tobe considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the present application is not limited tothe particular implementations described herein, but manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

1. A system comprising: a plurality of nodes configured for wirelesscommunication, at least one node being configured to receive externaldata from an external source; each of said plurality of nodes beingconfigured to discover other nodes in said plurality of nodes; each ofsaid plurality of nodes being configured to run a time and phasetracking function to provide synchronization between said plurality ofnodes; each of said plurality of nodes routing control and datainformation directly to other nodes in said plurality of nodes so as tosynchronously output said external data.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein an access point provides said external data.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein one of said plurality of nodes is a master node.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the Internet provides said external data. 5.The system of claim 1, wherein a network of remote servers provides saidexternal data.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said external data isprovided wirelessly to said at least one node.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein said external data is provided by wire to said at least onenode.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of nodescomprises an audio speaker.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein a musicplayback device connected by wire to said at least one node providessaid external data.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said wirelesscommunication is performed via at least one of WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee,and 60 GHz wireless communications methods.
 11. A method for use by aplurality of nodes configured for wireless communication, at least onenode being configured to receive external data from an external source,said method comprising: discovering, by each of said plurality of nodes,other nodes of said plurality of nodes; running, by said plurality ofnodes, a time and phase tracking function to provide synchronizationbetween said plurality of nodes; routing, by each of said plurality ofnodes, control and data information directly to said other nodes of saidplurality of nodes so as to synchronously output said external data. 12.The method of claim 11, further comprising registering nodespecifications of each of said plurality of nodes with said other nodes.13. The method of claim 11, wherein an access point provides saidexternal data.
 14. The method of claim 11, wherein one of said pluralityof nodes is a master node.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein theInternet provides said external data.
 16. The method of claim 11,wherein said external data is provided wirelessly to said at least onenode.
 17. The method of claim 11, wherein said external data is providedby wire to said at least one node.
 18. The method of claim 11, whereineach of said plurality of nodes comprises an audio speaker.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein a music playback device connected by wire tosaid at least one node provides said external data.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, wherein said wireless communication is performed via at leastone of WiFi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and 60 GHz wireless communicationsmethods.